Harriet
Fox

What made you choose to study at NTU?
“I completed some work experience at Debenhams’ Head Office in sixth form and instantly loved the idea of working in the fashion industry. Whilst at Debenhams I met a girl on her placement from NTU, we spoke a lot about her degree and how NTU has a reputation for being one of the best universities in the country for fashion courses.

“All the staff and students I spoke to at an open day were so passionate about what they studied and it made me want to be involved in a course that offered such a diverse curriculum.”

Can you tell us about your year-long work placement at ASOS?
“I had many responsibilities whilst on placement at ASOS. My role as a buyer's admin assistant was to provide support and assistance to my buyer and assistant buyer. This was achieved by raising and managing orders through to production stage and making sure the information for all orders was correct. Daily responsibilities included communicating with suppliers, garment technology, PR and social media."

What skills did you develop during your time at ASOS?
“Working in such a fast paced environment allowed me to improve my organisation, communication and team skills on a daily basis. This was the result of prioritising and organising my workload and communicating efficiently with suppliers. Negotiation, independent learning, and learning how to create professional working relationships were also key skills that I developed.”

What did you enjoy most about working for ASOS?
“ASOS is an amazing company to work for! It is very fast paced, innovative and you get put in at the deep end which is the best way to learn. There was never a boring day in the office and my team were great and so supportive. One of the best parts of the job is seeing your clothes on the public and feeling proud that you were involved in producing that garment.”

Why would you recommend undertaking a year-long placement?
“I learned so much in my year in industry that I would not have learned without this opportunity. It really helped to put the theory from university into action, and see how a retailer actually works on a daily basis.

“The placement year provides extensive training which helps you to gain a competitive edge against other graduates when applying for jobs. Working in industry is also a great opportunity to gain some useful contacts which can be used while in your final year at university.”

What are you plans for after you graduate?
“I have been offered a job at ASOS as a buyer's admin assistant which I cannot wait to start next year! I hope to progress within this role to become a buyer and use my knowledge gained over the past four years to aid me in doing so. I wouldn’t have obtained this job straight after graduation without studying Fashion Management at NTU.”